As certified and defined by a nationally recognized certifying body, PSCs are hospitals that meet standards to support better outcomes for stroke care, including the following: a dedicated stroke-focused program, staffing by qualified medical professionals trained in stroke care, coordination of post-discharge patient self-care, and other eligibility standards. Certified PSC hospitals may pursue voluntary designation from the Illinois Department of Public Health by submitting verification of the PSC national certification and a completed Application for Stroke Center Designation to the Department of Public Health.

Hospitals with Extended Neonatal Capabilities which can provide care to women and newborns at moderate risk and do operate a Special Care Nursery but do not operate a NICU.

Antimicrobial Stewardship Award

The Illinois Department of Public Health Antimicrobial Stewardship Honor Roll recognizes hospitals that demonstrate strong leadership and commitment to using antibiotics safely and appropriately. These efforts help protect patients from unnecessary side effects, reduce antimicrobial resistance, and support high-quality care. Designations are based on implementation of the CDC’s Priorities for Hospital Core Element Implementation, targeted strategies designed to enhance the quality and impact of existing stewardship programs. Bronze, Silver, and Gold tiers reflect increasing levels of implementation. Hospitals meeting all six CDC Priorities ensure antibiotic stewardship leaders have stewardship responsibilities built into their job roles, use a physician-and-pharmacist co-leadership model, engage leaders and clinicians with specialized stewardship training, adopt facility-specific treatment recommendations with active review of antibiotic decisions, regularly submit antibiotic use data to national tracking systems, and provide targeted prescriber feedback. The Collaboration Distinction recognizes hospitals that partner beyond their own facility to improve antibiotic use across healthcare settings and in their communities.